Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Manuel Roxas II expressed delight upon knowing that Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. has decided to abide by the suspension order issued by the Office of the Ombudsman.
“Masaya akong nanaig at nangibabaw ang batas sa araw na ito,” Roxas said in a statement.
Earlier today, Binay vacated his post pending the decision of the Court of Appeals on the temporary restraining order (TRO) petition and writ of preliminary injunction he filed.
Binay, surrounded by his family and close allies, spoke before the crowd at the city hall quadrangle this morning.
“Wala pa ho tayong TRO, hindi rin po dine-deny ang ating petition pero kailangan po nating galangin ang hukuman. Ito po ang lagi nating sinasabi na kailangan po nating sundin kung ano ang kapasiyahan ng hukuman,” Binay said.
Roxas, in his statement, added: “Nagpapasalamat ako kay Mayor Junjun Binay sa pagtugon sa aming panawagan na sundin ang batas.”
Yesterday, tensions rose as Binay supporters, who barricaded the entrance to the city hall as early as 2:00 a.m., tried to prevent DILG personnel from posting the order.
Some of them threw Monobloc chairs at the DILG personnel, who attached the order on one of the city hall’s posts.
“Makakaasa po kayo na magbabalik na sa normal ang operasyon ng Makati City Hall at magpapatuloy na ang pagbibigay ng serbisio sa mamamayan ng Makati,” assured the interior local goverment secretary.
Binay’s second suspension was due to his alleged involvement in the supposedly overpriced construction of the Makati City Science High School building.
Roxas was at the Philippine School of Business Administration (PSBA) in Quezon City this morning for the signing of a joint memorandum between DILG and the National Youth Commission.
He was the guest of honor and keynote speaker for the DILG-NYC circular that will institutionalize youth participation in climate change adaptation.
